INTRODUCTION

Acne vulgaris is a common skin condition caused by various factors within the pilosebaceous unit. Propolis, a sticky, brown, and fragrant resinous material made by bees, has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and can help address some of the pathogenesis of acne vulgaris.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the efficacy and safety of propolis 10% cream versus benzoyl peroxide (BPO) 5% cream on mild to moderate acne vulgaris.

METHOD

The study included 46 participants with mild to moderate acne or Investigator’s Global Assessment (IGA) grade 2 or 3, randomized to receive propolis 10% or BPO 5% cream twice daily for 8 weeks. Primary outcomes were IGA success rates (score of 0 or 1), 50% lesion reduction, adverse reactions, and quality of life changes measured by the DLQI.

RESULTS

The study found that the success rate was 15% in the propolis group and 9% in the BPO group. In clinical response, 25% of patients in the propolis group and 52.38% in the benzoyl peroxide (BPO) group showed improvement in inflammatory lesions. For non-inflammatory lesions, 5% of patients in the propolis group demonstrated improvement, compared to 28.57% in the BPO group (p=0.538). 5% of the propolis group reported itching and burning, while 9.52% of the BPO group reported scaling (p=0.1806). Both groups showed significant decreases in DLQI scores from baseline to the fourth follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Topical propolis 10% cream can be an alternative acne treatment, given its comparable effect to BPO and its excellent safety profile.

Acne Vulgaris ; Benzoyl Peroxide

INTRODUCTION

Allergic contact dermatitis remains a commonly encountered condition in dermatology. Contact allergen prevalence fluctuates over time, making ongoing surveillance essential for detecting trends and identifying emerging allergens.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence and trends of top allergen patch test-positive patients over a 10-year period.

METHODS

The medical records of 906 patients who underwent patch testing at the hospital between 2012 and 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical data and patch tests results with clinical relevance from consultation records were extracted and analyzed.

RESULT

In the 10 years, data from 996 patients patch tested with European baseline series of contact allergens were analyzed. The overall positivity rate was 64.25%. The predominant allergens investigated during the previous decade include nickel sulfate (19.60%), fragrance mix I (8.70%), potassium dichromate (5.99%), cobalt chloride (5.92%), and p-phenylenediamine base (5.92%). The trend in our study aligns with global patch test data, with nickel sulfate consistently leading as the most frequent allergen.

CONCLUSION

The study emphasizes the need for regular monitoring and updating of the standard patch test series to ensure its clinical relevance and improve patient care.

Human ; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact ; Patch Tests ; Epidemiology